Astronomer Sir Patrick Moore dies, aged 89

The legendary astronomer and presenter of 'The Sky at Night' passed away on Sunday afternoon.

Known for his eccentric style, trademark monocle and unshakable enthusiasm for astronomy, Sir Patrick inspired generations to pick up a telescope and gaze upwards at the stars. Throughout his life he wrote dozens of books on the subject and his observations of the Moon were used by both NASA and the Russians during their early pioneering space programmes. He was perhaps best known for presenting the BBC's flagship astronomy series 'The Sky at Night' for over 50 years.

"Patrick will be mourned by the many to whom he was a caring uncle, and by all who loved the delightful wit and clarity of his writings, or enjoyed his fearlessly eccentric persona in public life," said his friend and fellow astronomer Brian May. "Patrick is irreplaceable. There will never be another Patrick Moore. But we were lucky enough to get one."

Me and a friend were lucky enough to have a private 'lecture' on a couple of occasions by the great Sir Patrick over the phone. We were out at around 2-3am one morning with his 10" or 12" telescope checking the skies out, admittedly we had had a skinful that night as it was a weekend and had been in the pub earlier. Anyway my mate decides to phone the big man up in the middle of the night. We figured he's an astronomer, of course he will be up looking at the sky, and sure enough he answered his phone and remembered my friend by name from a previous conversation they had in person a month or so... [More]

Me and a friend were lucky enough to have a private 'lecture' on a couple of occasions by the great Sir Patrick over the phone. We were out at around 2-3am one morning with his 10" or 12" telescope checking the skies out, admittedly we had had a skinful that night as it was a weekend and had been in the pub earlier. Anyway my mate decides to phone the big man up in the middle of the night. We figured he's an astronomer, of course he will be up looking at the sky, and sure enough he answered his phone and remembered my friend by name from a previous conversation they had in person a month or so... [More]